Virginia Tech

I’ve been trying to put together something resembling coherence about the massacre at Virginia Tech. As a task, it’s probably too big for me. And I realized, that’s probably because talking about this violates the canon rule of politics as well as of religion, the necessity to act locally, and to connect your actions to your personal experience and higher goal.

So I will give you, instead, quotes from two varied thinkers, on their responsibility to community.

Eugene V. Debs and Jesus Christ.

Your Honor,years ago I recognized my kinship with all living beings, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on earth. I said then, and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a criminal element I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.
Eugene Debs, Statement to the Court September 18, 1918
http://www.wfu.edu/~zulick/341/Debs1918.html

35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Jesus Christ, as quoted in The King James Version of Matthew 25/35-40
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=25&version=9

If you want a world where these things are unthinkable, turn off the computer and do something. You can come back and tell me what it is, afterwards.